Current Affairs - Places

On June 14, 2025, Union Minister Kamlesh Paswan inaugurated India’s first Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility in Chennai, developed by Garuda Aerospace. This 35,000 sq. ft. facility focuses on the design, manufacturing, and testing of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), with a target of producing one lakh drones by 2026. Alongside this launch, 300 Centres of Excellence and the DGCA-approved Train the Trainer (TTT) programme were also introduced. These initiatives aim to boost rural employment, promote drone-based agriculture, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in drone innovation and self-reliant technology development.

The 137th OSCC meeting was conducted in New Delhi under the leadership of the Indian Coast Guard on June 12, 2025. The session brought together key stakeholders from the defence, energy, and intelligence sectors to address security challenges associated with offshore energy installations. This high-level coordination reflects the government's strategic interest in safeguarding maritime infrastructure, vital for India's energy security. New Delhi, being the capital and administrative hub, was chosen as the venue to facilitate the participation of multiple national-level agencies such as the Ministries of Home and External Affairs, ONGC, and various defence forces.

The inaugural meeting of the Task Force on Textiles Exports was convened by the Ministry of Commerce on June 10, 2025, at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi. Chaired by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, the meeting brought together stakeholders including government officials, exporters, and industry representatives. The gathering aimed to address key challenges facing India’s textile exports such as ESG compliance, regulatory reforms, and the need for innovation. Held in the capital, this meeting marked a coordinated step toward formulating policy recommendations and fostering collaboration across ministries and industry bodies to strengthen India’s global position in textile exports.

India’s first International Agri Hackathon took place in Pune, where the Union government launched the ‘Clean Plant Programme’. This initiative focuses on supplying disease-free horticultural plants to farmers, starting with Maharashtra, to enhance agricultural productivity. Key crops like grapes, oranges, and pomegranates will benefit from this program, ensuring healthier yields. The event highlights Pune’s growing role in agri-innovation and sustainable farming solutions, aligning with national efforts to modernize agriculture and improve farmer livelihoods through technology and research-driven interventions.

The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) meeting was recently held in New Delhi, emphasizing India's growing leadership in biotechnology. The event marked the inauguration of the DST-ICGEB Bio-foundry, the first public-funded platform aimed at advancing bio-based innovations. As part of the BioE3 policy, India aims to strengthen its bio-manufacturing ecosystem, contributing to economic growth, environmental sustainability, and employment. The bioeconomy has witnessed rapid expansion, growing from USD 10 billion in 2014 to over USD 165 billion in 2024. With major vaccine developments and global recognition, India continues to assert itself as a global biotechnology hub.